title: First experiences from Copenhagen with paediatric single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates the diagnostic value of single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT)/multislice computed tomographic (MSCT) fusion images compared with planar scintigraphy in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen children [eight girls, mean age 13 years (range 2-17 years)] who were examined in the SPECT/16-MSCT scanner at the Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Rigshospitalet were included. The studies and clinical indications were eight Tc-hydroxymethane diphosphonate bone scintigraphies (three bone abnormalities, three osteomyelitis, two bone tumours), one bone scintigraphy combined with In-labelled leukocyte study (osteomyelitis), three I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine scintigraphies (neuroblastoma), three In-octreotide scintigraphies (two carcinoid tumours, one Langerhans cell histiocytosis) and one Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (suspected renal transplant infarction). At the evaluation of the planar scans, the decision to perform a SPECT/16-MSCT scan was taken. A specialist in nuclear medicine read the SPECT scans and the CT scans were, if performed as high resolution or when in doubt, read by the specialist in radiology, followed by a simultaneous reading. We categorized the additional information gained from the SPECT/MSCT scan into three groups: (i) structural information gained from the CT scan, (ii) additional nuclear medicine information gained from the SPECT scan and (iii) information used for biopsy guidance. Use of a CT scan of diagnostic quality was only allowed (n = 1) after referral from the clinicians, and read in collaboration with the specialist in radiology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen of the 15 planar scans gained additional structural information from SPECT/CT. Twelve of 15 planar scans gained additional nuclear medicine information. Six studies gained specific information for biopsy guidance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPECT/CT provided additional information in all cases. SPECT/CT in children seems to be a most valuable tool and it increases the certainty of the diagnostic work-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. julie.bjerglund.andersen@rh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Julie Bjerglund
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Jann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.forename: Birthe Højlund
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Bech
authors.forename: Liselotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Højgaard
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borgwardt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015614:Histiocytosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000379:methods*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals